Round 19 Review – State League Women’s
Round 19 of the Women’s State League again served up a number of intriguing fixtures which had major bearings on the top four.
UNSW hosted bottom placed Parramatta FC while Western NSW Mariners FC played host to St George FC and SD Raiders FC travelled out to face Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC.
Match of the Round
UNSW vs Parramatta FC
In the match of the round UNSW hosted Parramatta FC in what was a crucial game for UNSW as they looked to continue their press for a top two finish. Parramatta FC came into the game knowing the challenge they were up against but were determined to make it as difficult as possible for UNSW.
UNSW started the game on the front foot as they looked to press Parramatta FC early and force them back.
UNSW attempted to attack Parramatta out wide as they looked to utilise their pace and trickery to cause Parramatta defensive issues.
Parramatta though held firm as UNSW found it difficult to carve any real chances the best one falling to Yadira Rengifo after 16 minutes but she blazed her shot well wide. Rengifo then jumped on a Parramatta defensive mistake after 23 minutes but saw her shot well smothered by Parramatta goalkeeper Emily Clark.
Parramatta almost grabbed a goal against the run of play as Julie Kuorence broke through but some desperate last ditch defending by UNSW cleared the danger. UNSW’s pressure though eventually told as 31 minutes in Rengifo opened the scoring after a neat exchange of passes she was able to slot her shot past Clark in the Parramatta goal.
UNSW quickly doubled their lead as Christine Lucantonio was able to tap home from close range after Heidi Cummings cut it back from the right hand side. UNSW nearly made it three after 38 minutes as Cummings steered her shot wide after another Parramatta defensive mistake. Parramatta though did not leak anymore goals before halftime and went into the break only 2-0 down as UNSW were left frustrated that their possession dominance did not bring about more goals.
UNSW though did not take long to add to their goal scoring tally as Rengifo added a third as she was played through and she clinically steered her shot into the corner after 49 minutes. Parramatta’s early resistance was now slowly being worm down as UNSW went on the hunt for more goals which they found in the 60th minute as Cummings got her name on the scoresheet as she headed into an open net after a cross from the right to make it 4-0.
Rengifo then completed her hat-trick a few minutes later as calmly side footed her finish into the bottom corner. The game was now wide open as UNSW began to score at will, as Cummings grabbed a double after following up Rengifo’s deflected shot to make it 6-0. Parramatta like so many times this year just simply began to run out of legs as UNSW exploited the space which was afforded to them.
Rengifo was running riot as she grabbed a 4th goal after 79 minutes as she was left open in the box to stroke her finish home before a minute later she smashed home her fifth goal as the score jumped out to 8-0. Celia Brown made it 9-0 before Rengifo rounded out the scoring as she finished with 6 goals as UNSW ran out 10-0 victors.
Parramatta again showed fight and determination but their resistance was eventually broken down by a relentless UNSW team. UNSW coach Renato Jelen was pleased with the three points but will know his team must continue to win so as to secure a top two finish.
Match Stats
UNSW 10 ( Yadira Rengifo , 31’’,49’,64’,79’,80’,88’, Christine Lucantonio, 33’, Heidi Cummings, 60’, 67’, Celia Brown 84’)
Parramatta FC 0
Sunday August 13th 3pm, David Phillips Complex
UNSW: 29.Celia Brown(16.Elise Baker 78’) 4.Tara Casserly(13.Madeleine Karavotas 78’)22.Heidi Cummings, 5.Donna Helm( 2.Nicole Adam 77’) 23.Alice Kriesler, 10.Christine Lucantonio, 1.Tiana Milisavljevic, 33.An Nagayoshi, 34.Yadira Rengifo, 36.Miranda Summersby-Mitchell, 8.Nicole Zwahlen
Unused Substitutes: 25.Ramona Spicer
Parramatta FC: 1.Emily Clark, 19.Katrina Dos Anjos, 6.Crystal Gallagher, 27.Mary Gindi, 24.Margaret Isaac, 9.Alicia Kotsiopoulos, 30.Mary-Jade Owusu-Ansah, 18.Tracey Thein, 32.Karen Thomson, 11.Julie Kuoreyce
Western NSW Mariners FC 3 (Jasmin Courtenay, Jess Salomini x2) vs St George FC 0, Sunday August 13th 3pm, Jack Brabham Park
In what could prove to be a crucial result Western NSW Mariners FC maintained their push for a top four spot as they recorded an impressive 3-0 victory over St George.
The Mariners dominated the game from the outset as their movement and passing caused issues for St George. Jasmin Courtenay opened the scoring for the Mariners as they took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
Jess Salomini then added a quick double after the break to extend the Mariners lead and even though St George kept pressing the Mariners defence held steadfast as the Mariners kept their season finals hopes alive. The Mariners now find themselves four points behind fourth placed St George as the next few weeks will prove crucial in both these teams seasons and finals hopes.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 1 vs SD Raiders FC 3 (Niqui Caridad x2, Sabrina Pusateri), Sunday August 13th 3pm, Popondetta Park
In another crucial game SD Raiders FC recorded a tough win over Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC as they moved back into second place. The Raiders continued their recent good form as Niqui Caridad grabbed a double while Sabrina Pusateri rounded out the scoring for the Raiders.
The Raiders will know it is crucial for them to keep winning as they look to like the teams just behind them to secure a top two finish. Raiders coach Catherine Cannuli will know the importance of momentum running into the finals and will make sure her team continues maintain their focus and winning form.
-By Sebastian Kalos
